Fastening device for detachably connecting together two relatively movable parts



Filed NOV. 7, 1945 y 1948. H. o. SPILLER 2,446,113

FASTENING DEVICE FOR DETACHABLY CONNECTING TOGETHER TWO RELATIVELY MOVABLE PARTS 3 Sheets-Sheet l E I I iIIIII 'IIIIIH IIIW \E E H F/G/ fizmj H/ w): J, E- 4 J/ i ll!" J H283 /x G 1 II n a F E 0 4 770R/VEV July 27, 1948. o SPlLLER 2,446,113

FASTENING DEVICE FOR DETACHABLY CONNECTING TOGETHER TWO RELATIVELY MOVABLE PARTS Filed Nov. 7, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 waww Arm/ME) July 27, 1948. H, O, SPILLER 2,446,113

FASTENING DEVICE FOR DETACHABLY CONNECTING TOGETHER TWO RELATIVELY MOVABLE PARTS Filed Nov. 7, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheetfi M/VEn/m 86 a 5/ /42 5) 4 7 ram 5y l ed air.

Patented July 27, 1948 NECTING l TOGETHER ,MOVABLE PARTS 'rwo t RELATIVELY Herbert Owen Spiller, Wootton, Isle of Wight,

England, assignor to J. Samuel White & Company Limited; Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England, a company, of Great Britain Application November 7, 1945, Serial No. 627,247

InGreat Britain November 27, 1944 This invention relates to fastening devices for detachably connecting together two relatively movable parts and is more especially intended for use as a fastening for a door, lid of a'box, drawer or like member which is hinged or otherwise mounted on or can slide in relation to another member. The invention hasfor its object to provide a fastening which will engage and hold the two parts whether they are brought together or closed gently or violently while enablingthem to i be easily and quickly disconnected.

Fastening devices for this purpose may be of the type which comprise a fixed projection mounted on the first of th'etwo parts, a head with a reduced part behind it at the end of this fixed projection, and two similarjaws mounted on the second of the two parts, each jaw being pivoted at one end and having a tooth-like portion on the other end adaptedfirst to pass over the head and then automatically to engage the reduced part of the'fixed projection when the two relatively movable parts are brought together. It is "with fastening devices of this type that the invention is concerned. In such devices it has generally been the practice to provideumechanism for releasing the fixed projection from the jaws by opening the jaws, such mechanism being mounted on the part which carriesthe jaws. It is an object of this invention, on the other hand, to provide a device in which the mechanism for opening the jaws is" mounted on the part which carries the fixed projection. A further object of the invention isto provide a mechanical mechanism for this purpose which is simple, cheap and neat in appearance. Arrangements hitherto proposedin which the jaw releasing mechanism has been mounted on the part which carries the fixed projection have been complicated, for example ithas been proposed to operate the mechanism by compress- Such arrangements are unsuitable for ordinary domestic and similar purposes where there may not be a convenient'supply'of compressed air.

According to this invention in a fastening device of the type referred to there iscombineda rod which passes longitudinally through and. which can slide in the fixed projection, a spring operative to cause sliding of the rod in the outward direction (1. e. in the direction opposite to that in which the movable parts are broughttogether), a formation on the inner end of the rod which extends beyond the head of the projection when the rod is pushed inwards against the action of the spring, and a formation on each of the jaws intermediate between the pivot and thetooth-like portion adapted tobe engaged by the formation 3 Claims. (01. 292-20 2 on the inner end of the rod when the latteris moved inwards to move'apart the jaws to disengage the reduced part of the fixed projection..-

While, as indicated, the improved fastening may. be employed for various purposes, it is particularly adapted for use as a fastening for the door of a cupboardand asdesignedfor such use and by way of example it is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- I Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the complete fastening as arranged with the locking jaws ,mounted within a cupboard and the fixed projece tioncarried on thedoor of the cupboard, the parts in thisfigure being shown in engagement that is with the door fastened. 1

t Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l in which the sliding pin is shown as pushed in so as to release the fastening. i l l l Figure 3 is "an elevation of the fixed projection the end thereof being shown in longitudinal sec- ,tion. 1 1 Figure 4 is a side ,elevationshowing this fixed projection as when mounted on the door of a cupboard.

Figure 5 is an elevation showing the locking jaws as when assembled for mounting in a cupboard or elsewhere. 1

t Figure .6 shows the assembly ofthese locking jaws as seen from the right-hand in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an end elevation of the assembly of .theiocking jaws as seen from the rear.

Figure 8 is an elevation showing the fixed projection mounted as on the door of a cupboard and arrangedin a position where release of the fast- ;ening can be effected indirectly and not by applying pressuredirectly to the sliding pin.

, Figure9 is an elevation showing an alternative construction of the fiixed projection and sliding pin inwhich the projection is flat instead of circular in cross-section and the sliding pin is also Figures 10 and 11 show in elevation this sliding pin as viewed in two aspects at right angles to each other.

Figures 12 and 13 similarly show the fiat fixed projection as seen from points at right anglesto each other.

Figure 14 is aview of this projection as seen fromthe end.

Referring to Figures 1 to 7, the fixed projection is shown in Figures 1 and 2 as mounted on the inner face of a door A and conveniently near its edge withthe axis of the projection extendin approximately at right angles to the general plane of the inner surface of the door. The projection sorber when the door isclosed. The opposite side of this shoulder 15 comes against the inner face of the door, as may be seen in Figures 1 and 2, when the body B of the projection is passed through a hole in the door and the threaded end screwed into a hole in a handle D of suitable form whereby the projection is fixed in place.

A central hole E runs through the body Bvof the projection throughout its length andin this hole lies and can slide a pin F which carries on its outer end a button F or other formation suitable for the application thereto of pressure when thefastening is to be-released. The. button can slide in a hole E in the handle and between the inner end of the button and the outer end-of the body. B lies 'a/coiled spring G which thus tends topush the button. outwards and with 'itthe pin F. At the opposite or inner end of the sliding pin F is an enlargement or boss F having a rounded face and this boss liesand can slide in a recess E at the end of the hole E and in the head B of the projection. When retracted by the action of the spring G gand'in the position in which the parts are shown in Figure "1 this boss 'lies 'almost wholly Withinthe headB 'and the end of the boss forms a rounded nose and gives a smooth and rather pointed iront to thehead. When' pressure is appliedto' the button F the enlargement will be caused'to project beyond the head B as shown "in Figure 2.

The' two lockin members aresimilar'and are pivotally mounted on some fixed pa'rt within the cupboard as for instance on the side ;wall Harm 'in'a position where they can engage thefhead of the'projection B when -the'door A which carries this projection is closed. Each locking member is constituted by a lever J pivoted'at one end at "11 these pivots "being near to each ether" and'their axes parallel so that both the levers lie and move in aplane which will containthe 'axisof'the'projection B when the door 'A of the cupboard is 1 closed. A coiled springK connectsthe two levers J and causesthem to move towards each other.

(The end of each lever'remote from its pivot is formed with a tooth-like projection J shaped so that it can enter into and engage the recess or neck 13 behind the'head B of the projection B, and at an int'ermediate place in thelength of as seen in Figure 1. Thus as can be seen in this ,figure when the head B of the projection B jis engaged by the locking levers J the edges .of the two levers will lie close to the surface .of the head B and the rounded nose F whichwill be substantially in contact with the projecting parts J of the two levers, If new the button-F -be pushed inwards causing the boss F on the endof the pin F to protrude from the head B the two levers J will be forced apart against the action of the spring K in the manner shown in Figure 2 and the teeth J will be withdrawnfrom-thfiPQQk 4 B so that the catch will be released and the door can be opened.

In the construction of levers J shown in Figures 1 and 2 it will be seenthat. each lever is pro- 5 video, "with a flat part J at. its edge near the pivot J and another flat part J at the end of the projection J These flat portions on the two levers abut as can be seen in Figure 1 when the levers are in engagement with the projection B and of course similarly when the levers have been disengaged and the head B of the projection B is not between the levers. These abuttin parts limit the extent to which the levers can be drawn together by. the spring K and maintain a gap between the jaws J into which the head B of 1 the projection and the enlargement F therein can readily enter when the door A is closed and the projection forced against the ends of the levers -J. The opening out of the levers will then be ensured so that the head of the projection can .-enter=tlf1 e gap-between and-the lockingmbe effected. Conveniently the locking, levers when mounted on-thea side wall H of the-cupboardlie behind a flange or -the like-H directed inwardly -and where it will be behind the door A when this is closed. A hole H in:thisv flange .pern its .;.the passage of the head B of the projection-so that it maybe engaged by the locking levers. When the door is thus closed theresilient sleeve-or O washer C comes in contact' with the -part H around the hole li and deadens' theshock of closin and also prevents rattling Whenthe door .i s' fastened. As an alternative to providing. the levers J with flat parts J J -the.,movement towards each other; of these -levers-- may-; be checked by stops on some fixed'part.-;-,Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 5 wherein the levers J are seen as having their pivots J carried between suitably shaped plates L,,L which-can -be attached by rivets-:or otherwise :to zthetcupboard or other par t,the plates then closing-in the levers in the manner to-beseen in Figulresfiand 7. In thiscase oneof these platesL carries at its innersidetwo lateral projections L constituting 5 stops which lie in th-=pathw0f the levers- J and limit their movement towards eachother so that there is always maintained a-gap between-the teeth J for the entry of-the ;head'-of the =pro- -jection B. 'The confinement-of the'flatileversJ between theplates L, L maintains themin the plane containing the axis' of the projection 13' so that the gap between theteeth J will always be correctly located with respect to that axis when the door. isclosed. C i In the arrangement shpwn in- Figure the movement necessary to release the catch by sliding- -the:;-pin- F is effected -;indir ectly; and notzby fidirecb p s re .Onthe,end of thatzpim I-lere'the projection B is mounted on ,the door or other zpart A and the end of the pin F is acted on by one end of aleversMz pivoted at M 1A pushbutton :N: is arranged in a handle D and actsupongthelever PM atsome' point intermediatevin its-length: A (pin N nunsibetween the push button N andcthe "co-lever'M and a: sprin N" eonstantlypressesthe button N outwards. A coiled springF in-a re- 7 cess in the body of. the projection B acts-.onsaan renlargementsF on one end: of thesliding pi F and thus keeps the boss F on the end of thispin drawn back into the headlB of the projection.

; This arrangement enablesthe fastening deviceto be placed inra position where it might notbe convenient to situate the push button for'directly --operating it. v 1 r 1: Reierr n 9W to modified amigos {the projection shown in Figures 9 to 14, it will be seen here that while the general arrangement resembles that shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 what may be called the operative part of the projection which is adapted to be engaged by the locking levers is flat in place of being circular in cross section. The projection here comprises what may be called a body B formed of metal pressed to the shape indicated in Figures 9, 12, 13 and 14. This body somewhat resembles a flat tube formed as a pressing from sheet metal with two oppositely directed lugs B B constituting fiat plates which lie at right angles to the body and serve to attach it, as by welding or otherwise, to the part A on which it is to be mounted. The two opposite sides of the body are notched as at B to form the neck behind the head 18 of the projection. The slidin pin F carries at one end a flat strip F which lies in the space between the sides of the flat projection B B the end of this flat strip being suitably rounded and forming the nose of the whole projection. The fiat strip F and the pin F are guided b the body B and by the push button F as it moves in a hole A in the door or other part A a coiled spring G being disposed so that it will tend to push outwards the button F and draw into the head 13 the nose of the fiat strip F The general form of the locking members may vary according to the position in which they are to be mounted and the shape and construction of the end of the projection which is engaged by the locking members.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a fastening device for detachably connecting together two relatively movable parts of the type comprising a fixed projection mounted on the first of the two parts, a head with a reduced part behind it at the end of this fixed projection, and two similar jaws mounted on the second of the two parts, each jaw being pivoted at one end and having a tooth-like portion on the other end adapted first to pass over the head and then automatically to engage the reduced part of the fixed projection when the said two relatively movable parts are brought together; the combination of a rod which passes longitudinally through and which can slide in the said fixed projection, a spring operative to cause sliding of the rod in the outward direction, a formation on the inner end of the rod which extends beyond the head of the fixed projection when the rod is pushed inwards against the action of the said spring, and a formation on each of the said jaws intermediate between the pivot and the tooth-like portion adapted to be engaged by the said formation on the inner end of the rod when the latter is moved inwards to move apart 6 the jaws to disengage the reduced part of the fixed projection.

2. In a fastening device for detachably connecting together two relatively movable parts of the type comprising a fixed projection mounted on the first of the two parts, a head with a reduced part behind it at the end of this fixed projection, and two similar jaws mounted on the second of the two parts, each jaw being pivoted at one end and having a tooth-like portion on the other end adapted first to pass over the head and then automatically to engage the reduced part of the fixed projection when the said two relatively movable parts are brought together; the combination of a rod which passes longitudinally through and which can slide in the said. fixed projection, a spring operative to cause sliding of the rod in the outward direction, a formation on the inner end of the rod which extends beyond the head of the fixed projection when the rod is pushed inwards against the action of the said spring, a recess in the head of the fixed projection adapted to receive the formation on the end of the rod, the head and the formation together forming a bullet-shaped body when the formation lies in the said recess, and a formation on each of the said jaws intermediate between the pivot and the tooth-like portion adapted to be engaged by the said formation on the inner end of the rod when the latter is moved inwards to move apart the jaws to disengage the reduced part of the fixed projection.

3. A fastening device comprising the parts set out in claim 1 comprising in the combination a lever pivoted at one end and with its other end engaging the outer end of the said rod which slides within the said fixed projection, and a spring-actuated push button operative on the said lever at a point intermediate in its length whereby pressure can be applied to the lever and through it the said rod can be caused to slide in the said fixed projection and the fastening thereby released.

HERBERT OWEN SPILLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Sweden Feb, 14, 1933 

